In what's otherwise been a slow week in the NFL — if there's such a thing — the league announced that the salary cap will be higher than expected in 2025, around $7 million higher. That's huge for clubs in a financial crunch and for those who want to make a splash signing. In the case of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it would allow them to keep a couple of players who are rumored to be on the chopping block.
Through the offseason, wide receiver Christian Kirk, tight end Evan Engram, and running back Travis Etienne have been brought up as potential trade or cut candidates. In fact, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus believes that deciding what to do with them will be Jacksonville's toughest decision, noting that all three (and Gabe Davis) left a bit to be desired in 2024.
"Former general manager Trent Baalke signed receiver Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract last offseason, but Davis produced only a 54.6 PFF receiving grade with 0.95 yards per route run. Similarly, receiver Christian Kirk played in only eight games, garnering a decent 68.2 PFF receiving grade. RB Travis Etienne (62.8 PFF rushing grade) would figure to hold a more prominent role, given Coen’s running back-heavy approach in Tampa Bay, but even he could be dangled on the market."
Trading or releasing Davis wouldn't be feasible because it wouldn't create any cap space and would instead accelerate a cap hit. On the other hand, Locker argues that nobody would bat an eye if Kirk, Engram, or Etienne get traded to acquire extra assets and make upgrades across the roster.
Originally projected to have around $ 31 million in space, the Jaguars will end up with a bit more than $38 million. That extra amount could incentivize them to keep at least one of the three if they were planning to move on from them. And at least from an outside perspective, it's unknown what Jacksonville plans to do.
Heck, there's currently no general manager in place, as of this writing, so the faith of the three may not be decided yet.
Why the Jaguars could keep Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Travis Etienne
Christian Kirk has been the subject of speculation this offseason because the Jacksonville Jaguars were in talks to ship him to the Pittsburgh Steelers at last year's trade deadline. Add the fact that moving on from him in 2025 would free up $10 million in space, and it's easy to see why his future in Duval is in doubt.
Having said that, there may not be better options for the Jags in free agency. Tee Higgins is returning to the Cincinnati Bengals on the franchise tag, and Chris Godwin, his potential replacement, is coming off a more serious injury. At this point, it may be better to let his contract run out, without any restructuring, so the Jags don't push his cap hit into future years. The same is true for Evan Engram and Travis Etienne.
Engram dealt with injuries in 2024 and wasn't nearly as productive as he was the two years prior. Then again, the team as a whole struggled, so a clean slate could be huge for him. Furthermore, the $6 million he's scheduled to make next season isn't cost-prohibitive. Even with Brenton Strange around, the former Ole Miss Rebel could still play an important role on offense.
Last but not least is Travis Etienne, who also dealt with injuries in 2024 but is one year removed from back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons. He could form a dynamic backfield tandem alongside Tank Bigsby and help Liam Coen's renewed emphasis on establishing the run.
The bottom line is that the Jacksonville Jaguars must make upgrades to the offense in the offseason, but there may still be room for a handful of long-time contributors.